This is my first posting, as I just joined up. I purchased a 2006 Trek Madone 5.2 with full Ultegra components as my first road bike. I tried several other "starter" bikes and then made the mistake of asking to test ride the Madone. Wow! The folks here at Calmar Cycles were absolutely fantastic to deal with. I must have chewed Donnie's ear for about four hours, trying to get all the info I could about road bikes. I think I got a great deal on the bike and lots of riding gear. I came home, changed, and promptly went riding. I'm hooked! The wife was a little hesitant about the initial monetary lay out, but understood I wanted to buy a bike I actually wanted to ride. Anyway, I'm only in San Jose for one year (promotion) and then it's back to the high desert for me! But the time will fly as I plan to ride as often as possible, once I get some fitness back. See you out there,

Hi gunslinger, too bad you're in SJ for only one year--there are some great Bike Forums members there, and they do a lot of organised rides. If you want to find a riding partner, check into the Northern California regional forum and say hi! Oh, and VERY nice bike .

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

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___________________________________________________TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...

Thank you for the reply. I'm originally from Tacoma, WA. I'm a Marine Corps transplant, become CHP Sergeant. It is beautiful here, but too pricey to live. I'll look into the NorCal group you mentioned.

Thank you for the reply. I'm originally from Tacoma, WA. I'm a Marine Corps transplant, become CHP Sergeant. It is beautiful here, but too pricey to live. I'll look into the NorCal group you mentioned.

Gunslinger14647

I agree about beautiful but pricey! Are you returning to Tacoma, or moving somewhere else in California? If you were in the Marines, you probably know all about Southern California. My husband is from the Yuba City area originally. Not nearly as expensive to live there, and not a bad place to live.

East Hill

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___________________________________________________TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...

Welcome to the Bay Area and great cycling country. The best cycling is the west side from Los Gatos up to Hwy 92 and toward the ocean. Google "klimb.exe". It's a great resource for planning rides. Western Wheelers Bike Club, Almaden Cycle Touring Club, and Chain Reaction Bike Stores all have websites with lots of route information. If you decide to get into racing, there are plenty of clubs to choose from.

That's what I told her! I got the "look" from the corner of her eye, and then she said okay. If I ever feel like not riding, she'll be there to tell me I didn't spend three-grand on bike/gear so it could sit in the garage. And she'll be right, of course. ;-)